Hand Injury

[oullman7130]

I have had two injured hands for about a month (I injured them both practicing too much for a competition). As it is the end of the school year, they have not had a chance to recover because of all the typing and writing I have had to do for school, and final concerts for ensembles (high school). I do not practice with this injury, and only play lightly when I need to. The injury itself, if I could describe it, is like a reduced level of endurance. I could play piano for 5-10 minutes lightly, write for 2 hours (homework, so not continuous), or type for a long time, and hands will start to ache, it is not a very painful aching, I stop when it begins, but I am DYING to practice piano again. Does anyone have tips for recovering now that finals are largely over?

[hardy_practice]

Rent something with a much lighter action and see how it goes.  I'm no advocate of the hours of gruelling practice many do.  To what end?

[oullman7130]

The problem is, I'd be able to play only 20 minutes before stopping then... still not suitable as the vulnerability lasts for hours

[outin]

You will probably need to give your hands some proper rest and time to heal if it's repetitive strain injury, so if you have some free time now, take advantage of that. Instead of playing and using the computer do a lot of balanced but not heavy physical exercise. Injury can be caused or is prevented from healing because you are not physically fit (and I am not talking about hands, but your whole body). And last, try to find out why you got injury in the first place (ergonomic problems with your playing and/or computer use and sitting habits etc.). So it's complicated and it would be great if someone professional could help you with assessing your problems...

[michael_sayers]

The problem is, I'd be able to play only 20 minutes before stopping then... still not suitable as the vulnerability lasts for hours

Hi oullman7130,

Have you asked your piano instructor about this, and if so then what did she or he say?


Mvh,
Michael

[themusne]

It's alright if there is just a little nerve hand pain.When I practice a lot in a day,it would happen to me after I wake up next morning.But if someone have serious hand injury unfortunately, I suggest they should take rest for long time.

[dcstudio]

it might be wise to reevaluate your posture and technique.  If you practice correctly, it's possible to play for hours and hours with no fatigue in the hands.   You are so young to be having these issues and you really have to fix it now or it's going to really get in the way.  I have seen your kind before...so determined...and it's like "no pain no gain"--but that is the worst thing for your hands... once those nerves go ... they are gone.

some students have this mentality that they have to really apply a lot of pressure to the keys to hold them down...  others just think that because playing the piano is hard then they should hold their hands very rigidly to do it.  

use this time to figure out how to play without straining at all.  

just play--don't "practice"....  keep that mindset and free up your chops a bit.  tell yourself you will "practice" later... right now you are just "messing around"--while you are "messing around" be aware of any strain in your neck or back or anywhere...really concentrate on relaxing your body while your hands are on the keys...  

try cold packs on your hands and wrists... after you play.  just a few minutes.

it works.

[richie3846]

Some proper rest is a must, but also I think a trip to the docs might help. Tendon strain can heal in weeks with a course of something like Dicloflenac/Dicloflex. Years ago I had similar strain in the hands but not caused through piano. I suffered for months. I finally rolled up at the quacks, a week later after taking this stuff I was healed. A month later the problem was a distant memory.

[toby1]

You described this as injury, not "I have been getting sore hands"

If you have an injury you definitely need rest. If I was you I would see a doctor. I had pain in a shoulder after falling off a bicycle. I went to the Doctor and he recommended I get an ultrasound on it. It turns out it was aggravation of a preexisting condition I didn't know I had. I can work around that though now and structure practice to minimise risk of further injury. Definitely see a doctor and rest until then.